Refrigerating machine



5 Sheets-Sheet l D. H. GASTON REFRIGERATING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1938 Oct. 14, 1941.

Ihvenbor': Do old H.Go.sto1'\,1 W t W 19 I i Attorney.

Oct. 14, 1 941. D. H. GASTON REFRIGERATING' MACHINE File d June 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 BQK/dII 280 son Inventor:

m& f Q aw Hn nw MA a l 0 u ...D mm 2 ()gt. 14, 1941. D. H. GASTON 2,259,066

REFRIGERATING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 F! 8.. I 320 32a Fi 9.

I 91/1 11/ 'lI/IiI/fI/l/ Inventor:

Donald H. Ga Eon, by W I fl His Attorney.

Oct. 14, 1941. D. H. GASTON 2,259,066

REFRIGERATING MACHINE 7 Filed June 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FigJO. 9

Inventor;

I Donold H.610. ton bg 1 His AtGOTTjEg.

Patented Oct.

ATENT QFFi REFRIGERATING MACHINE Donald H. Gaston, Evansville, Ind., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 16, 1938, Serial No. 214L090 My invention relates to refrigerating machines,

and more particularly to refrigerating machines for automatically and continuously freezing ice or other materials.

Restaurants and similar establishments frequently require large quantities of ice for beverages and the like. If large cakes of ice are purchased from a commercial refrigerating plant to supply this need, the cakes must be broken up into pieces of convenient and usable size while the handling and storage of the ice presents obvious inconveniences and expense.

Mlost mechanical refrigerators designed for household use are provided with several freezing trays in which cubes of ice or the like may be frozen. These cubes are of a convenient size for use in. cooling beverages or the like, and such an arrangemerit supplies sufficient ice for the ordinary household. It is, however, frequently inadequate for commercial establishments in which large quantities of ice are required. In addition,

the ,ice cubes frozen in such a tray must be individually removed-therefrom and even though this is not so serious an objection insofar as household use is concerned, where only a relatively small number of cubes are used, it becomes of increased importance in case it is necessary to handle a large number of ice cubes.

It is, an object of my invention to provide a refrigerating machine in which provision is made for continuously freezing successive quantities of ice or other material and then ejecting the same mold in which the liquid is frozen and from which it is then removed.

A further object of my invention is to pro vide a refrigerating machine for freezing purposes, and utilizing the action of the refrigerant for electing the material frozen by the machine. Further objects and advantages of my inven tion will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic, representation of the refrigerating machine shown .in Fig. 1 and the control circuit therefor; Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section,- of the liquid measuring supply apparatus of the refrigerating machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectior'ial end. elevation of 'a portion of the liquid when frozen, the operation of the machine preferablybeing entirely automatic.

A furtherobject of my invention is to provide an improved refrigerating machine for auto: matically freezing; successive quantities of ice or other material and for storing the material so frozen in a cooled compartment to prevent the melting of the frozen material.

supply apparatus along the line 5 -5 of Fig. i; 7

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of one of the banks of freezing molds of the refrigerating machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a plan view, partly in section, of, the

bank of freezing molds shown in'Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a refrigerator partly broken-away and having a refrigerating machine associated therewith embodying a modification of my invention; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of A further object of 'my invention is to provide an improvedrefrigerating machine having a single refrigerant liquefying unit and. a plurality of refrigerant evaporators which may be selectively supplied with refrigerant fromthe refrigerant liquefying unit, one of the ev'aporators being utilized to freeze successive quantities of material in a mold from which they are ejected upon being frozen, and another of the the refrigerator shown in Fig.-8 also' partly broken away to show the construction of the refrigerating machine; Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the refrigerating machine shown in Figs. 8 and 9; Fig. 11 is a perspective view partly in section showing the construction of the freezing molds utilized in the machines shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10; Fig. 12 is a dia grammatic perspective view of the arrangement of the refrigerating coils utilized for freezing evaporators being. utilized to cool a ,compartment inwhich the frozen material is stored.

A further object of my'lnvention is to provide an improved arrangement forsupplying successive me'asuredq'uantltles of liquid to aligi embodiment ofmy'invention. Ihave" shown a the contents of the molds shown in Figs. 10 and 11; and Fig. 13 is a side elevation, in section, of

the liquid measuring vessel shown in Flgbliie In Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive, I have illustrated one cabinet including a freezing compartment l5 and a plurality of banks of freezing molds 30 and 3|. The lower portions of the banks of molds are surrounded by a metal casing 39 which contains an evaporator coil 59. Refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator coil 59 from a refrigerating liquefying unit' 32 located in the machinery compartment Hi. After the contents of the molds are frozen, they are softened about the edges by heat from electric heating element 92 and ejected therefrom by a suitable. ejecting mechanism including a solenoidand pistons 84, the operation of which is dependent upon the operation of the freezing means. A liquid supply tank 91 and liquid measuring vessels H8 and H9 and I20 and |2| are provided to supply liquid to be frozen to the banks of molds as soon as the frozen material has been ejected therefrom. The frozen material after it has been ejected from the molds is stored in the bottom of the compartment l5 until extracted for use. In the modification illustrated in Figs. 8 to, 13, inclusive, I have shown a modified control and liquid supply means and an ejecting means operated by a fluid motor utilizing the high pressure liquid refrigerant as an operating fluid is substituted for the solenoid operated ejecting means. By providing a flexible, non-heat conducting lining 325 for example; rubber, in the molds, the electric heating coil may be omitted.

I have shown in Figs. 1, and 2 a self-contained refrigerating machine mounted in a portable cabinet, the refrigerating machine being adapted to automatically and continuously freeze successive quantities of ice or the like. The cabinet is rectangular in outline and is of the same general type as is ordinarily used for household refrigerators. The cabinet includes a rectangular outer sheet metal shell Ill having a rectangular opening in the top thereof surrounded by a vertical flange The shell |l is provided with a horizontal imperforate sheet metal partition I2 therein, which extends entirely across the interior of the lower portion of the cabinet. The front and rear edges of the partition l2 are provided with downwardly extending flanges l3 and M respectively, which are welded or otherwise secured to the front and rear walls of the shell Ill. The partition |2 divides the space within the rectangular shell I into an upper compartment l and a lower machinery compartment l6 respectively. The compartment I5 is provided with an open top inner liner I! which covers the bottom and side walls thereof and is also provided with a rectangular aperture or door-opening H3 in the front wall thereof. The liner I1 is surrounded by heat insulation l9 and the dooropening it in the front wall thereof is closed by a heat insulated door 20. The edge of the heat insulation I9 surrounding the opening in the top of the liner I1 is covered by a cloth band 2|. The front and rear walls of the shell l0 extend downwardly only to the bottoms of the flanges l3 and I4 respectively of the horizontal partition l2. The cabinet thus formed is supported upon and reinforced by a suitable base 23. The base 23 is made up of a rectangular frame formed by horizontal angle irons 24 supported on legs 25, the base being surrounded on the front and sides by a sheet metal mopboard 26 secured to the base. The rear side of the base 23 is open. The mopboard 26 has an inset portion 21 in the front thereof which permits cooling air to enter the machinery compartment It at 28. The horizontal angle irons 24 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the legs 25. The front, rear, and bottom of the machinery compartment I5 are thus open. The front wall of the machinery compartment I6 is covered by a removable panel 29 which extends entirely across the same. When the door 20 and panel 29 are closed, the front of the cabinet thus presents a smooth surface which may be easily cleaned and which has a pleasing appearance.

The portable cabinet described above is provided with a refrigerating machine embodying my invention which includes banks of freezing molds 30 and 3| positioned in the compartment i5. Material, such as water, automatically supplied to the banks of molds 30 and 3| in measured quantities, as hereinafter described, is frozen by the absorption of heat therefrom by vaporizable liquid refrigerant circulated through evaporator coils, which are arranged in heat exchange relation with the molds. The liquid refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator from a refrigerant liquefying unit 32 mounted in the machinery compartment l6. After the contents of the freezing molds are frozen, they are ejected therefrom by a suitable ejecting arrangement hereinafter described and the frozen material is then stored within the compartment l5 until it is desired to use the same.

The banks of molds 30 and 3| are substantially identical. As best shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the bank, or row of molds 30, includes a plurality of vertical cylindrical pockets or molds 33. The upper edges of the molds 33 are flared outwardly to form lips 34 which are welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the adjacent edges of a series of longitudinally alined holes formed in a rectangular cover plate 35. A rectangular depression 36 is formed within the periphery of the cover plate 35 and extends over substantially the entire surface thereof. This depression 36 assists in filling the molds with liquid to be frozen, in that the liquid may be directed into the depression 36 and is then distributed therethrough to the molds 33 through a series of grooves 31 formed in the cover plate 35 at the bottom of the depression 36. The opposite ends of the grooves 31 register with slots 38 formed in the upper edges of the molds 33. The lower portions of the molds 33, as well as the heating and cooling apparatus therefor which is hereinafter described, are surrounded by a rectangular metal casing 39. The cover plate 35 is provided with 2. depending peripheral flange 40 which is tightly fitted about the adjacent upper edges of the casing 39 and frictionally engages the same.

The ends of the casing 39 are secured to substantially rectangular end plates 4| shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rear edges of the end plates 4| are secured to angle irons 42 having inwardly extending upper ends 43. The upper edges of the end plates 4| are secured to the opposite ends of a horizontal angle iron 44. A horizontal plate 45 having an upstanding peripheral flange 46 forms the bottom of the frame structure in which the banks of molds 30 and 3| are mounted. The lower edges of the end plates 4| are welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the flange 46 of the bottom plate 45. The bottom plate 45 also forms a drip-pan in which any moisture falling from the molds 33, or mold casings 39 is collected.

The bottom plate 45 is 'in turn supported by a frame structure, which includes a plate 4'! secured to the lower side thereof and having a downwardly extending flange 48. The flange 48 formed on the plate 41 is positioned in a. groove 49 formed in the upper edge of a strip of heat invided with an upstanding peripheral flange 52 which is fitted in a groove 53 formed in the lower edge of the insulating strip 50. A series of vertical plugs 54 of heat insulating materialare arranged between the adjacent portions of the plates 41 and and the opposite ends of the plugs 54 are secured to the adjacent portions of the plates 41 and 5| by screws 55 and 56, respectively. The screws 55 also extend through the bottom plate 45 and the plates G5, 41, and El are thus firmly secured together. A layer of heat insulating material 51 is arranged in the space between the plates M and El. A series of vertical angle irons 5B are attached to the corners of the plate 5| and support the frame structure thus formed on the bottom of the compartment l5.

The contents of the molds 33, shown in Figs.

' 6 and "I, is cooled by liquid vaporlzable refrigerant circulated through refrigerator evaporator conduits 59 which are helically wound about the outer walls of the molds. The evaporator conduits 59 are preferably substantially square in cross-section and the inner sides thereof are brazed, or otherwise tightly secured to the outer walls of the molds 33, in good heat conducting relationship therewith. The evaporator coils 59 extend through each bank of molds 30 and 3| and are preferably made of a continuous section of conduit so that the coils of evaporator conduit in each bank are connected in series relation. The series of evaporator coils 59 in each of the banks 30 and 3| are in turn connected in series relation by a conduit 63.

Liquid refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator coils 59 surrounding the molds 33 from the, refrigerant liquefying unit 32 located in the machinery compartment IS. The refrigerant liqueant compressor 6| in which vaporized refrigerant, such as sulphur dioxide, is compressed. The compressor 6| is driven by anelectric driving motor 62 connected thereto through a belt 63 which extends over a driving pulley mounted on the compressor drive shaft and a motor pulley mounted on the end of a motor shaft. Conltliusaccumulated in the receiver 12 passes therefrom to a main supply conduit fltand then through a branch supply conduit or liquid line 14, as shown in Fig. 3, to the refrigerant evaporator coils 59. The liquid refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant evaporator coils 59 is vaporized by the absorption of heat from the contents of flows through a-branch suction conduit 75, as

. best shown in Fig. 3, to the main suction conduit 15 through which it is returned to the compressor The portions of the conduits l3 and Ii-which extend along the rear wall oi the outer cabinet shell l0 are.covered by a protective sleeve W.

. 3 rubber. It. will be noted that the conduits 1a and 18 pass through rubber bushings 1B and 19 positioned in holes, formed in a flat rectangular plate 80 which forms the top inner wall of the compartment IS. The plate 80 is a part of the removable top of the cabinet which. also includes a rectangular 'cover plate 8| and heat insulation 32, which is arranged between the plates 80 and 8|. A rectangular rubber gasket 33 is positioned on the top of the upstanding flange formed on the outer cabinet shell Hi and extends completely about the same. Thecover plate 8| of the removable top of the cabinet rests on a gasket 83 and thus forms a tight seal therewith.

I have provided an arrangement for ejecting the ice, or other material, frozen in the molds 33. This arrangement includes a series of disc-shaped ejecting pistons'lit which are movable into and outof the molds. As best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the ejecting pistons 8e extend substantially across the bottoms of the molds 33. Each of the pistons 84 is provided with a depending cylindrical extension 85 having a tapped hole formed therein in which the upper end of a vertical actuating link 86 threaded. A disc-shaped soft metal sealing gasket 81 of good thermal conductivity having an upwardly extendingperipheral flange 88 is positioned on the lower side of each of the pistons 84 and is held in position by bushings 39. The bushings 89 arei turn'held in position by washers 90 and nuts the nuts 9% being threaded on the upper ends of the links 86. The pistons 84 are moved upwardly into the molds 33 by a suitable operating mechanism fying unitincludes a-reciprocating type refrigere hereinafter described which includes the links 86, thus ejecting the ice from the interior of the -molds 33. I have found, however, that when ice, or similar material, is frozen in the molds 33, it

adheres very tightly to the walls of the mold and that consequently an extremely high pressure must be utilizedto eject the frozen material from the molds unless some provision is made for melting the frozen bondbetween the walls of the molds and the material frozen therein.

I have provided an arrangement for heating the walls of the molds 33 in order tomelt the frozen bond between the inner surfaces of thewalls' of the molds and the material frozen therein. This heating arrangement includes a sinuous electricheating element 92 which is,arranged in close thermal conducting contact'with. the lower portions of the exterior walls of the molds 33, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The electric heating coil of element 92 includes a high resistance centrally located electric conductor 93 provided with a covering of .electric insulation 8d and an outer cover 95 made of material have .1 8 a high thermal conductivity such as metal. Water to be frozen is supplied tothe refrigerating machine through a conduit or pipe 86 extending through the rear wall of the cabinet and connected to an ordinary water supply system, or otherv suitable source of water. The water is supplied to the freezing molds 33 of the'refrig the molds 33. This vaporized refrigerant then erating machine fro'rnthe main supply conduit 9t through a liquid measuring arrangement :which supplies just sumcient water to the molds '33 substantially to fill the same during each cycle of operation of the machine.

ten u p r portions preferably molded thereon and made of soft 15 The upmr portions is of the angle irons at arev shown in Figs. 1 to a inclusive. water is supplied through'the pipest to'a rectangular supply t fs'lwhich is supportedabovethe banks ofmolds 30 and 3| on the inwardly exit of the'angle irons 42.

welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the rear wall of the tank 91.

I have provided an arrangement for maintaining the water 98 in the supply tank 91 at a substantially constant level which includes a float 99. One end of the float 99- is provided with an extension I which is pivotally connected to a bracket IOI formed on the inner side wall of the tank 91 by pivot pin I02. The extensionl00 formed on the float 99 is provided with an upwardly extending portion, or lever arm, I 03 which actuates a horizontal slidable rod I04. As shown in Fig. 4, a pin I is threaded in a suitable tapped hole formed adjacent the top of the lever arm I03 and the position of the pin I05 with respect to the end of the rod I04 may thus be varied by screwing the pin I05 into or out of the hole formed in the lever I03. When the water 90 rises in the tank 91, the float 99 is also lifted and the lever I03 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I02, thus bringing the pin I05 into contact with the end of the slidable rod I00 and forcing the rod I04 outwardly. Since the pin. I 05 may be moved toward or away from the end of the rod I04, the level of the water 98 in the tank 91 at which the rod I04 is pushed outwardly may also be varied.

As shown in Fig. 3, a bridging member I06 having contacts I01 and I08 secured to the opposite ends thereof is mounted on the outer end of the rod I04. The contacts I01 and I08 cooperate with a pair of fixed contacts I09 and valve II2 located in the water supply conduit 96. The electrically operated valve H2 is of the conventional solenoid type and includes a valve element which is connected to a magnetic armature controlled by the energizing coil III. The valve element is normally biased to the closed position, thus cutting off the flow of water through the conduit 96.

When the level of the water 98 in the tank 91 decreases, the float 99 moves downwardly, thus rotating the lever I03 in a clockwise direction. A biasing spring, not shown, may be provided on the rod I04 which causes it to be moved to the right, that is, in a direction to close the contacts I08 and II 0, aswell as the contacts I01 and I09, when the pressure exerted by the pin I 05is released. When these contacts are so closed by the release of the pressure of the lever I03, acting through pin I05, on the rod I00, the circuit is completed from an electric supplyline II3 through conductor II4, contacts I00 and H0, bridging member I00, contacts I01 and I09, and conductor H5 to the energizing winding III. The opposite end of the winding III is connected to an electric supply line H 0 through a conductor II1. When the coil III is thus energized, an armature attached to the valve element of the valve H2 is moved upwardly and the valve element is moved to its in which the rod I04 is pushed outwardly thus opening the contacts I08-I I0 and I01--I09 and so deenergizing the coil II I and closing the valve H2. It will thus be seen that by means of the arrangement described above the water '98 is maintained at a constant level within'the tank Four substantially identical fluid measuring vessels H8, H9, I20, and I2I, are arranged on the lower side of the tank 91. The measuring vessels are cup-shaped in form and the side walls thereof are substantially cylindrical. As best shown in Fig. 4, upwardly extending cylindrical depressions I22 and I23 are formed in the bottom wall of the tank 91 and the upper edges of the measuring vessels H8 and H9 are closely fitted within the walls of the depressions I22 and I23. Similar depressions are formed in the bottom wall of the tank 91 in which the upper edges 'of the measuring vessels I20 and HI are secured. The adjacent portions of the measuring vessels H0 and H9 are welded to the bottom wall of the tank 91, as indicated at I24 and I25, respectively, thus forming fluid-tight seals about the upper edges of the fluid measuring vessels. Holes I20 and I21 are formed in the bottom Wall of the tank 91 at the centers of the depressions I22 and I23. Hollow internally threaded bushings I28 and I29 are mounted in the holes I 20 and I21, respectively, and the sides of the bushings are welded to the edges of the holes, as indicated at I30 and I3I, respectively.

A tubular two-part valve casing is mounted in each of the fluid measuring vessels. The valve casings for the measuring vessels H8 and H9 include complementary cylindrical cup-shaped upper and lower portions I32 and I33. respectively. The upper and lower portions of the valve casings are secured together by a threaded internal sleeve I34. The bottom wall of the lower portion I33 of each valve casing is provided with an outlet opening I35 therein which is surrounded by an annular upstanding valve seat I36. The outlet opening I35 registers with a centrally located bore formed in a bushing I31 which is mounted in an aperture I30 formed in the bottom of the measuring vessel. The edge of the aperture I38 is welded to the bushing I31, as indicated at I39, thus forming a tight seal therewith. The upper side of the bushing I31 is provided with a counterbore I40 which is adapted to receive the lower end of the valve casing and a sealing gasket MI is positioned in the counterbore I40 in order to prevent the leakage of fluid between the adjacent surfaces or the lower portion I33 of the valve casing and the bushing I31. A similar gasket I42 is positioned on the upper side of the top wall of the portion of the valve casing I32 and is pressed thereon by a ring I43 threaded in a tapped counter-bore I44 formed in the top of the bushing I20. It will be noted that the upper portion I32 of the valve casing is provided with an inlet opening I45 in the top wall thereof, the lower end of which is surrounded by an annular inwardly extending valve seat I40.

The measuring vessels H8, H9, I20, and HI are provided with valve actuating rods I41, I48, I49, and I50, respectively. A disc-shaped outlet valvelSI is secured to the lower end or the actuating rod I41 of the measuring vessel I I8 and a similar disc-shaped outlet valve I52 is secured to the lower end of the actuating red I 48 or the measuring vessel II9. Soft rubber sealing discs I5Ia and I52a are secured to the lower sides oi! the outlet valves I5I and I52, respectively. Similarly, duplicate disc-shaped inlet valves I53 and I54 are slidably mounted on the actuating rods I41 and I48, respectively, and have soft rubber sealing discs I55 and I55 positioned on the upper surfaces thereof. Compression springs I51 and I58 surround the actuating rods I41 and I49 and bear against theinner sides of the adjacent inlet and outlet valve elements. The upper portions I32 of the valve casings are provided with ports I59 in the side walls thereof and the low er portions I33 of the valve casings are provided with similar ports ISO in the side walls thereof.

' It will thus be seen that when the actuatin rods are moved to their extreme upper position, which is the position of the actuating rod I41 illustrated in Fig. 4, that the compression spring I51 is compressed between the outlet valve element II and the inlet valve element I63, thus pressing the sealing disc I 55 tightly against the inlet valve seat I46 and closing "the inlet passage I45. At the same time, the outlet valve element I 5I is moved upwardly away from its cooperating seat l36' and any fluid contained in the measuring vessel II8 flows therefrom .through the ports I60 and outlet opening I35 into a branch of conduit I6I which is secured to the bushing I31.

Similarly, when one of the actuating rods is pushed downwardly to its extreme lower position, which is theposition of the actuating rod I48 shown in Fig.4, the sealing disc I62a of the .outlet valve I52 is pressed tightly against the charged or permitted to flow from the other of the measuring vessels to the molds which they supply. For example, the inlet valve I54 .01? the measuring vessel H9 is opened, thus admitting water to the interior of the measuring vessel H9 and filling the same, at the same time that the outlet valve I5I of the measuring vessel "H8 is valve seat I36 and prevents any fluid in the 4 measuring vessel H9 from flowing out through the outlet opening I35. At the same time, the inlet valve I54 is moved downwardly away fromits cooperating sealing seat I59 and water, or other fluid, within the supply tank 91 flows into measuring vessel II9 through the inlet opening I45 and ports I 59. It will thus be seen that the com- I pression springs I51 and I58 serve to hold the valve elements tightly against their cooperataing valve seats when in the closed position and even though the valve seats or valve elements become worn through continued use, sealing of the inlet and outlet openings will be unimpaired.

The entire valve assembly foranyone of the measuring vessels may be readily disassembled for purposes of inspection and repair by unscrewing the ring I43 and then lifting the tubular valve casing and valve elements contained thereopened, thus allowing the water contained in the measuring vessel I I8 to flow through the conduits I5I and I64 to the bank of molds 30. The valve operating arrangement is also designed so that both of the banks of molds 30 and 3I will be filled with water at the same time. outlet valve of the measuring vessel I20 is opened at the same time that the outlet valve of .the

measuring vessel H8v is opened and the water contained in the measuring vessel I20 flows through the conduits I66 and I69 to the bank of molds 3|. When the outlet valve of the measuring vessel I20 is opened, the inlet valve of the measuring vessel IZI is opened. and the outlet valve thereof is closed, so that the measuring vessel MI is filled with water from the supply tank 91 while the measuring vessel I20 is being emptied.

Each of the measuring vessels us, us, no and I I2I is provided with a vent tube 309 extending upwardly from the upper portion of the measuring vessel, through the upwardly directed depressions in the bottom or tank 91 into the upper portion of tank 91 above the level of the liquid 98. By this means, trapping of air within the measuring vessels is provided against and the in upwardly through the central bore formed in v the hollow bushing I28, since thediameter of the portions I32 and I33 of the valve casing is slightly less than the diameter of the bore in the bushing I28.

The measuring vessels II9, II9, I20, and I2I are designed with such dimensions that each of them will hold a volume of liquid above the lower edge of the ports IBIlthereof, just suflicient to fill all of the freezing molds 33 in one of the banks of molds '30 or 3|. vessels in pairs and the measuring vessels I I9 and H9 supply water, or other liquid, to the freezing molds 33 in the bank of molds 30 through branch outlet conduits IIiI and I62 which are connected 9 by a T-connection I63 to a main conduit- I64.

The lower end I85 of the conduit I64 extends over the depression 36 formed in the cover plate I have arranged themeasuringmeasuring vessel may be filled more readily.

The mechanism which I have provided for opening and closing the inlet and outlet valves of the measuring vessels I I8, II9, I20, and I2I, iricludes a pair of. oscillating arms HI and I12 which are loosely journaled on a horizontal shaft I13. Forked ends I14 and I15 are provided on the operating arm HI and slidably engage the valve actuating .rods M1 and I48, respectively. Similar forked ends I16 and I11 are provided at the opposite ends of the arm I12 and slidably engage the valve actuating rods I49 and I50. As

best shown in Fig. 4, a pair of nuts I19 is threaded on the upper end of the valve actuating rod I41 and form a stop thereon, which is engaged by the forked end I14 of the arm I". Thus, when the arm I" is rotated in a clockwise direction', the forked end I14 thereof engages the 35 of the bank of molds 30 and consequently water discharged from thelower end I65 of the conduit I64 is distributed through the notches 31 to all of the molds 33 in the bank of molds 30. Similarly, the other pair of measuring vessels I20 and I2I is provided with branch outlet'conduits I66 and I61 which communicate through a T-connection I68 with a main conduit I69. The lower end I10 of the conduit I69 extends over the depression 36 formed in the cover plate 35 of the bank of molds 3|. Thus, water dischargedfrom the lower end I10 of the conduit I69 is distrib and I15 of the actuating arm Hi. The sleeves lower nuts I18 and lifts the valve actuating rod I41 upwardly until theinlet valve I53 is moved to its closed position, and the outlet valve I5I is moved to its open position. Collars I19 are positioned on the upper ends of sleeves I90 which surround the valve actuating rods I41 and I49 and form a lower stop for the forked ends I14 I80 are slidably mounted on the valve actuating rods I41 and I48 and the lower ends of the sleeves .are rigidly secured to the inlet valve elements I53 uted through the notches 31 to all of the 'molds 33 in the bank of molds 3|.

and I54. Consequently, when the arm I" is oscillated in a counterclockwise direction, the forked end I14 thereof .pushes down on the collar I19 and sleeve I00. As a result, the spring I51 is compressed and the outlet valve element Consequently, the

element I53 is moved downwardly to its open position. Nuts I18 are also provided on the upper ends of the valve actuating rods I49 and I50, forming upper stops thereon and collars I19 and sleeves I80 are also positioned on these valve actuating rods to form lower stops thereon.

The operating arms HI and I12 are oscillated by a horizontal rod I8I having its opposite ends positioned in longitudinal slots I82 and I83 formed in the arms "I and I 12, respectively. The rod I8I is eccentrically mounted on a pinion I84 and is rotated thereby. The pinion I 84 meshes with a gear wheel I85 of comparatively large diameter, which is rigidly mounted on the horizontal shaft I13. As best shown in Fig. 5, the horizontal shaft I13 is provided with a pair of sleeves I86 and I81 which are journaled in inverted L-shaped brackets I88 and I89, respectively. The upper ends of the brackets I88 and I89 are welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to a horizontal bracket I90 of inverted U-shape having its opposite ends secured to the side wall of the supply tank 81 by bolts I9I.

A ratchet and pawl arrangement has been provided for rotating the shaft I13, which includes a ratchet wheel I92 rigidly secured to the shaft I13 and an actuating pawl I833. The lower end of the pawl I93 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin I94 to a link I95 having its opposite end Journaled on the shaft I13. The pivot pin I34 also pivotally connects the upper end of the vertical rod I98 with the pawl I93. It will be noted that the rod I96 extends through an aperture formed in the bottom of the supply tank 91 and a sleeve I91 is provided which surrounds the aperture formed in the tank and extends above the normal level of the water 98 therein.

When the rod I96 moves downwardly, the pawl I93 is also moved downwardly and causes the ratchet I92 to rotate in a clockwise direction due to its engagement with one of the teeth of the ratchet I92. As a consequence, the shaft I13 and gear wheel I85 are also rotated in a clockwise direction, and since the pinion I 84 meshes with the gear wheel I85. the pinion is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. This counterclockwise rotation of the pinion I04 causes the rod I 8! to be moved in a counterclockwise direction and the operating arms HI and I12 are also moved in a counterclockwise direction. When the rod I98 is moved upwardly again, the pawl I93 engages the next tooth on the ratchet I92 and upon a second downward movement of the rod I96 the clockwise rotation of the gear I85 and counterclockwise rotation of the pinion I 84 will be continued. The gear ratios of the pinion I84 and gear I85 are so related that one actuation of the ratchet I92 will cause the pinion I84 to be rotated through substantially 180 degrees. The rod I8I will be moved upwardly upon the 84 have been actuated to elect previously frozen ice therefrom.

In the machine illustrated, the lower ends of the actuating-links 88 are pivotally connected by pins I98 and I99 for the banks of molds and 3|, respectively, to U-shaped brackets 200 and 20I. The brackets 200 and 20I are in turn rigidly secured to channel-shaped bars 202 and 203, respectively. The front sides of two U-shaped frames 204 and 205 are formed by the bars 202 and 203, the sides thereof being formed by channel-shaped bars 206 and 201, respectively. The U-shaped frames 204 and 205 are connected by channel-shaped links 208 which are pivotally connected at their opposite ends by bolts 209 and 2I0 to approximately the midpoints of the side bars 208 and 201 of the frames 204 and 205, respectively. The frame 204 is supported at its rear edgeby a pair of pivots 2II journaled in the vertical bars 42 of the machine supporting frame. Similarly, the rear edge of the frame 205 is supported by a pair of pivots 2l2 which are also journaled in the support 42. The links 208 are connected by an X-shaped frame made up of bars 2I3 and 2|4 having their opposite ends rigidly secured to the ends of the links 208. The crossed center portions of the bars 2| 3 and 2 are secured together by a pin 2|5 extending therethrough. Since the side bars 288 of the frame 204 are shorter than the side bars 201 of the frame 205, the frame 204 is tilted downwardly toward the frame 205. Consequently the pistons 84 in each bank of molds 30 and 3| will be moved substantially the same linear distance second actuation of the ratchet and pawl mechanism and the arms "I and I12 will thus be moved in a clockwise direction, to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The mechanism for moving the ratchet actuating rod I98 and the actuating links 88 of the ejecting pistons 84 are mechanically interconnected in such manner that the rod I98 and links 88 are moved in a predetermined sequential relation. The mechanism for ejecting blocks of ice from the molds 33 is thus mechanically interlocked in such a manner with-the mechanism for supplying water to the molds that a fresh supply of water cannot pass to the molds 33 to replenish even though the links 208 are closer to the pivots 2| I than to the pivots 2I2.

The X-shaped frame made up of the bars 2I3 and 2 is moved upwardly by a solenoid operated actuating mechanism and this upward movement of the bars 2I3 and 2 swings the U-shaped frames 204 and 205 upwardly, thus moving the ejecting'plstons 84 upwardly to the upper ends of the molds 33 due to the movement of the actuating links 88. The solenoid actuating mechanism includes an energizing coil 2I8 which surrounds a vertically movable magnetic armature 2| 1. A yoke 2I8 having an inverted U-shape is secured to the lower end of the armature 2I1. The lower ends of the yoke 2I8 are slidably mounted in cylindrical hollow guides 2I9 and 220,which are secured at their lower ends to the bars 2|3 and 2| 4 by rivets HI and 222, respectively. The upper end of a tension spring 223 is secured to the top of the yoke 2I8 and the lower end of the spring is secured to the pin 2I5. I have found it desirable to use such a spring and yoke arrangement to connect the armature 2| 1 of the solenoid operating mechanism and the linkage which is moved thereby in order that the ejecting pistons 84 may be moved upwardly into the molds 33 at a relatively slow rate of speed as compared to the sharp upward movement of the solenoid armature 2| 1 when the coil 2|9 is energized. It is desirable to move the pistons 84 at a comparatively slower speed because of the resistance offered thereto by the ice in the molds and also because the comparatively large inertia of the linkage mechanism which connects the pistons and the solenoid operating mechanism would otherwise impose-a very heavy load on the solenoid if the entire linkage mechanism was given a sudden sharp movement. The yoke and spring arrangement which I have provided results in the contents thereof before the ejecting pistons 7 the desired difference in speed of movement of I I 2,259,066 -the various parts since when the coil H6 is anism connecting the pistons 84 thereto. Such a movement of the yoke 2H! and armatur 2|! places the spring 223 undertension, however, and thus stores potential energy therein. The tension in the spring 223 causes the X-shaped frame made up of the bars 2l3 and 2M to move upwardly at a comparatively slow rate of speed and the frames 2% and 285 are similarly swung upwardly about their pivots 2H and 2l2. As a consequence, the pistons 85 are moved slowly upwardly in the molds 33 by the actuating links 95. The upward movement of the bars 213 and 2M continues until the lower ends of the yoke 2W strike the bottoms of the guides M9 and 228,

thus limiting the upward movement of the pistons 84.

The ratchet actuating rod I96 is connectedat its lower end to the bar 2 It by a pin 196A. Consequently when the bar 2H and the remainder of the linkagefor operating the ejecting pistons 83 is moved upwardly therod I95 is also moved upwardly and causes the pawl I93 to engage the next adjacent tooth on the'ratchet I92. The ratchet I92 is not moved and consequently the valves of the measuring vessels are not moved, however, until the rod H is again moved downwardly by the actuating linkage of the pistons 98. When the rod I95 is again so moved downward two of the measuring vessels are emptied into the banks of molds 30 and 3! but at the same time the pistons 84 are retracted, the previously frozen blocks of ice having already been ejected from the molds. It will thus be seen that this mechanical interconnection of the valve actuating mechanism for the measuring vessels and the piston actuating mechanism insures a sequential series of operations inwhich the previconstant values.

o'usly frozen ice is always first ejected from the v molds before more water is supplied thereto.

When blocks of ice, or other frozen material, are ejected from the freezing molds 33 by the upward movement of the pistons 85, the blocks move vertically upward out of the molds until they strike angularly disposed deflecting plates #224 and 225 which are arranged above the banks of freezing molds 39 and 3i, respectively. The

vdeflecting plates 224 and 225 are substantially rectangular in shape and the rear edges thereof are folded over longitudinally extending rods 225 and 221, the opposite ends of which are journaled in suitable holes formed in the side plates 4|.

Tension springs 228 and 229 are secured to the deflecting plates 224 and 225, respectively, the opposite ends of the tension springs being secured to adjacent portions of the side plates ll. The deflecting plates 222 and 225 are retained at an angle over the tops of the freezing molds by stops 224a and 225a. The blocks of icestriking the deflecting plates 222 and 225 tend to rotate the same backwardly away from the tops of the banks of molds-thus placing the springs 228 and 229 under tension. When the blocks of ice have flnally moved upwardly a sufficient distance to be free of the molds 33, the tension springs 228 and 229 tend to pull the deflecting plates 224 and 225 back to their original positions against their stops, thus pushing. the blocks of ice oil of the tops of the banks of freezing molds 30 and 3|. The blocks of ice then fall into a drawer 230 which is located in the bottom of the compartment l5 in alinement with the door-opening l8 through which it is readily accessible. The front edge of the drawer 230 is provided with a deflecting plate 23l which extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom and directs the falling a sinuous dry type evaporator conduit 232 is mounted on the upper surface of the plate 52 directly above the drawer 230. The evaporator coil 232 is preferably brazed, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the plate 5! in good heat exchange relationship therewith. Liquid vaporizable refrigerant passes to the evaporator coil 232 through a branch conduit 233 which communicates with the main refrigerant conduit 13. The liquid refrigerant passing through the evaporator conduit 232 is vaporized by the absorption of heat from the interior of the compartment l5 and the refrigerant thus vaporized returns through a branch discharge conduit 234 to the main discharge or suction conduit I6.

I have provided automatic thermostatic expansion valves 235 and 236 for maintaining the differences in pressure between the inlets and outlets of the evaporators 59 and 232 at substantially The thermostatic expansion valve 235 is located'in the branch supply conduit 14 of the'evaporator 59 and the thermostatic expansion valve 235 is located in the branch supply conduit 233 of the evaporator 232. The automatic thermostatic expansion valves 235 and 23B are of the conventional type and include bulbs 231 and 238, respectively, which are connected thereto by conduits 238 and 240. The bulbs 23'! and 238 contain a fluid, .such as sulphur dioxide, which is cooled by the portions of the discharge conduits l5 and 235 with which they are arranged in good thermal contact. A bellows, or similar pressure responsivemember, is included in each of the thermostatic expansion valves and is subjected to the pressure of the refrigerant entering the evaporator on one side and to the pressure of the fluid in the bulb associated with the valve on the other side. When the pressure differential prevailing between the inlet and outlet of one of the evaporators decreases, the bellows of its associated thermostatic expansion valve moves to open the valve and 'admit re- It is unnecessary to maintain the temperature of the evaporator 232 at as low a temperature as evaporator 59 since the ice within drawer 230 can be kept from melting at a higher temperature than prevails in the freezing molds. Accordingly, I place a pressure valve 3"] in conduit 234 so adjusted that it will close when the pressure within evaporator 232 reaches a predetermined minimum. Therefore the pressure withih evaporator 232 will not be reduced below the predetermined minimum even though the pressure within evaporator 59 is much lower than this minimum.

The control arrangement which I have provided. for the refrigerating machine described above serves automatically to-control the operation thereof and particularly to meet various requirements of the user. It is desirable that the machine should be selectively operable either continuously to freeze quantities of ice, or on the other hand, simply to store ice which has already been made and prevent its melting. For this requirement of dual operation, I have provided a control mechanism which includes a manually operable two-position switch having a movable switch arm 24l and two stationary contacts 242 and 243, as shown in Fig. 3. When the switch arm 2 is moved into its left-hand position into contact with the stationary contact 242, the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator coils 59 of the freezing molds 33 remains cut oil, because the operating coil 244 is not energized and the solenoid operated valve 245 located in the branch supply conduit 14 is biased to its closed position when deenergized. At the same time. refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator coil 232 through the branch supply conduit 233 from the refrigerant liquefying unit 32. The operation of the compressor 6| and its driving motor 62 is in such case controlled by switch 246 having a pair of fixed contacts 241 and 246 closed by a movable bridging member 249, which is actuated by a thermally responsive element, such as a bellows 250. This bellows is connected through a conduit 25! with a thermostatic bulb 252 arranged in heat exchange relationship with the evaporator 232. The bulb 252 contains an elastic fluid such as sulphur dioxide and when the evaporator 232 reaches a predetermined high temperature, the fluid in the bulb 252 expands and causes a consequent expansion of the bellows 250. This resultsin a closing of the'con tacts 261 and 246 by the movable bridging member 249, thus completing an electrical supply circuit for the motor 62 from the electric supply line H3 through a conductor 253, switch arm 26! and contact 242, conductor 254, contacts 241 and 248, bridging member 249, conductor 255, and conductor 256. The motor 62 is connected to the I other supply line I I6 through conductors 251 and 258. When the evaporator 232 reaches a predetermined low temperature, the bellows 256 contracts and moves the bridging member 249 out of contact with the contacts 241 and 248. The supply of current to the motor 62 is consequently cut ofl and the compressor 6| is stopped. The

evaporator 232 is operated withina sufficiently low temperature range to cool the compartment i5 and prevent the melting of ice stored in the drawer 230 even when ice is not being frozen in the molds 33.

On the other hand, when the switch arm 2 is moved to the right into contact with the stationary contact 243, a control circuit is set up for operating the machine continuously and automatically to freeze successive quantities of ice, or the like. In such case, the molds 33 are filled with water from an ordinary city supply which is, of course, comparatively warm. Consequently,

- a fluid, such as sulphur dioxide, which is con tained in a thermostatic bulb 259, is caused to expand and the pressure of this expansion is transmitted through a conduit 260 and a bellows 26l connected thereto is also caused to expand. It should be noted that bulb 259 is located in heat exchange relation with one of the molds 33 and the movement of the bellows 261 is thus responsive to the temperature of the contents of the mold. The expansion of the bellows 26! causes rod 262, while the bridging member 263 is slidably mounted thereon and biased to a predetermined position on the rod 262 by a compression spring 265. When the rod 262 has completed its movement to the right upon expansion of the bellows m, it is held in that position by a fixed permanent magnet 266 which exerts a magnetic attraction on an armature 261 secured to the outer end of the rod 262. Also, the contact bridging member 264 closes contacts 266 and 269, while the contact bridging member 263 closes the contacts 210 and 21L The closing of the contact 243 by the switch arm 24! completes the electric supply circuit for an energizing winding 212 of a normally open electrical contactor 213. Current is supplied to the winding 212 from the electric supply line H3 through the conductor 253, switch arm 24!, contact 243, conductor 214, and conductor 215. The other end of the energizing coil 212 is connected to the other electric supply line I I6 through conductor 256. The energizing coil 212 is thus sup plied with current upon the closing of contact 243 by switch arm 24! and the contactor 213 closes, thus placing its contact bridging member 216 in contact with stationary contacts 211, 216, and 219. Upon the closing of the contactor 213. the supply circuit of the compressor driving motor 62 is completed from the electric supply line H3 through conductor 253, switch arm 24", contact 243, conductor 266, contact 219, contact bridging member 216, contact 216, conductor 28!, contacts 266 and 26,6, contact bridging member 264, and conductors 262, 263 and 256. It will be noted that the other side of motor 62 is permanently connected to the current supply line H6 through conductors 251 and 256. The electric driving motor 62 is thus started and refrigerant is compressed. in the compressor 6! and liquefied in the condenser '69. Upon the closing of contact 243 byv switch am 241 current is also supplied to the energizing winding 244 of refrigerant solenoid valve 245 from the electric supply line H3 throughconductor 253, switch arm 24!, contact 2'43, conductor 214 and conductor 24411. The other side of the winding 244 is permanently connected to the other electric supply line 6 through conductors 24412 and 258. When the winding 244 is thus energized the normally closed valve 245 is opened and liquid refrigerant is ad- 5 mitted to the evaporator coils 59 through the branch supply conduit 14 thus cooling the contents of' the molds 33. It will be noted that liquid refrigerant is also simultaneously supplied to the evaporator 232 so that the interior of the compartment I5 is cooled to a temperature below 32 F. in" order to prevent the melting of ice stored in the compartment. Liquid refrigerant is continuously supplied to the evaporator cooling coils 59 of the freezing molds 33 until the water a rod or operating member 262, which is rigidly 76 mined low value which is sufficiently small that the magnetic force exerted by the magnet 266 on the armature or bar 261 is overcome. When such a predetermined low value of pressure is reached, the operating rod 262 moves rapidly to the left as the bellows 28I contracts and the supply of current to the compressor driving motor contact 243, conductor 288, contacts 219 and 218, conductor 28!, contacts 288 and269, and conductor 282. The other side of the energizing winding 284 of the contactor. 285 is connected to the other supply line II8 through conductors 288 and 258. When the energizing winding 283 is so supplied with current, the contact bridging member 281 is moved upwardly to its open position. The contacts 28.8 and 289 are opened when the ice is frozen in the molds 33 and the contactor 285 is deenergized so thatits contacts 288 and 289 are closed by the contact bridging member 281. Upon the closing of contacts 288 and 289, current is supplied to the electric heating element 92 surrounding the freezing molds 33 from the electric supply line II3 through conductor 253, switch arm 24I, contact 243, conductor 2'88, conupwardly into contact with stationary contacts 384 and 385 Upon such closing of the contactor 298, current is supplied to the solenoid winding 2I6 from the electric supply line I I3 through conductor 253, switch arm 24 I, contact 243, conductor 288, contacts 211 and 219, conductor 298,,contacts 288 and 289, conductor 29I, conductor 388, con-- tacts 384 and 385, and conductor 381. The other side of the winding 2I6 is connectedto the other electric supply line I it through conductors 388 and 382.

Upon the energlzation of winding 218, the armature 2I1 of the solenoid operating mechanism is moved upwardly, thus placing the spring 223 under tension. This tension of the spring 223 causes the X-shaped frame made up of the bars 2I3 and 2M to be pulled upwardly, swinging 1 blocks of ice thus forced out of the molds 33 are pushed from the tops of the banks of molds 38 and 3| by the deflector plates 224 and 225 and fall into the storage drawer 238.

.The continued heating of the molds 33 by the electric heating .elements 92 causes the pressure tacts 211 and 219, bridging member 218, conductor 298, contacts 288 and 289, bridging member 281, conductor 29I, and branch conductors 292 and 293. The electric heating elements 92 are also connected to the other electric supply line I I6 through branch conductors 294 and 295, conductor 296 and conductor 258. It will be noted that the heating elements 92 for each ofthe banks of molds 38 and 3I are connected in'parallel relation to conductors 29I and 296 by branch conductors 292, 293, 294 and 295.

As the electric heating elements 92 are heated by the electric current supplied thereto, this heat is transmitted to the walls of the freezing molds 32 with which the heating elements 92 are in direct contact. The frozen bond between the walls of the molds 33 and the blocks of ice contained therein is consequently melted, so that the blocks of ice may be readily ejected from the molds, As

of the fluid in the bulb 259 and bellows 28I to increase until the operating rod 282 is moved to the right a suihcient distance that the contact bridging member 264 also closes the contacts 268 and 269. Upon the. closing of thecontacts 288 and 269', the,contactor *285 is energized, current being supplied to its energizing winding 284 from the electric supply. line I I3 through conductor 253, switch arm 24I, conductor 288, contacts 218 and 219, conductor 28I, contacts 288 and 289, and conductor 282.

ply line II6 through conductors 286 and 258. Upon such energization of the contactor 285, its contact bridging member 281 is moved upwardlyto' the open position, thus cutting of! the supply the molds 33 are warmed by the heating ele-' '50 linkage mechanism which connects the armaments 92, the fluid in the thermostatic bulb 259 is also warmed and causes a consequent expansion of the bellows 28I. This expansion of the bellows 28I moves the operating rod 262 gradually to the right. It will be noted that the contact bridging member 283 is located closer to its cooperating contacts 218 and 2" than is the contact mally open electrical contactor 298. Current is supplied to the energizing winding 291 from electric supply line II3 through conductor 283,

switch arm I, contact 243, conductor 288, conture 2H and ejecting pistons 84 is allowed to return to its normal lower position due to gravity.

The downward movement of the bar 2I4- also causes the rod I96 to be moved downwardly, which in turn causes the pawl I93 to move the ratchet I92 in a clockwise direction. When' the ratchet I92 is moved ina clockwise direction,

the arms "I and I12 areswung from the position shown in Fig. 4 in a counterclockwise direction, thus openingthe outlet valves I52 of measuri'ng vessels H9 and I2I and closing the inlet valves I54 thereof. Water thus flows from the I measuring vessels H9 and I2I through the conduits 'I82-I64 and I81-I88 to the banks of r'nolds38 and 3|. respectively, where it is distributed to the freezing molds 83 and fills the same; At the same time, the counterclockwise movement of the operating arms "I and I12 tacts 219 and 211. conductor 288, contacts 288 and 289, conductor 29l, conductor 299, contacts 218 and 2H, and conductor 388. The other side of the energizing winding 281 is connected to the other electric supply line I through conductors 38I and 382. .Upon the energization'oi contactor 298, its contact bridging member 383 is moved causes the inlet valves I53 oi the measuring vessels III and I28 to be opened and the outlet valves I5l thereof to be closed. Upon such opening of the inlet valves of the measuring vessels I8 and I28, water flows therethrough from the supply tank 91 and fills the same. It will thus be seen that the measuring vessels 1 I8 and I28 The other side of the mar-- gizing winding 284 is connected to the other supare filled with water in preparation for the next cycle of operation, while the water previously contained in the measuring vessels H and I2I is being discharged into therbanks of freezing molds 30 and 3|.

The flow of water into the measuring vessels H8 and I20 from th supply tank 31 causes a lowering of the level of the water therein and consequently the float 83 rotates downward in a. clockwise direction about its pivot I02 and al-v lows the rod I04 to move to the right, thus closing contacts I09 and II 0. Upon the closing of these contacts, current is supplied to the energizing coil III ofthe electrically operated valve II2, causing the same to be opened. When the valve '2 is open, additional water is supplied through the pipe 96 to the supply tank 91 until the level of the water 98 therein again reaches a sufliciently high point that the float 99 is rotated upwardly a suflicient distance in acounterclockwise direction about its pivot I02 that the rod I04 is again moved to the left and the contacts I09 and H0 opened. When these contacts are opened, the coil III is again deenergized and the valve II2 consequently closed.

At the end of the description of the cycle of operation of the control arrangement described above, it was notedthat the contact bridging member 234 closes the contacts 233 and 239- repetitions of the cycle of operation, blocks of ice are frozen in the molds 33, the molds are then heated until the ice may be readily ejected therefrom, and the pistons 84 theneject the blocks of ice from the molds, after which the molds are again filled with water. It will thus be seen that I have provided an arrangement by means of which blocks of ice of a convenient and usable size are continuouslysupplied during so long a period as the operator may desire. In the machine illustrated ice is made at the rate of 7 about three and one half pounds per hour when the ambient temperature is about 75 F. Moreover, the machine is entirely self-contained and is mounted in a portable cabinet of reasonably small dimensions so that it-may be placed in any :iesired location in the establishment in which it used.

After a suflicient number of blocks of ice have been frozen to meet the requirements of the operator, the manually controlled switch arm 24I is moved to the left into contact with the starent to the energizing coil 244 of the solenoid operated valve 243 is' thus cut off and the normally closed valve 245 closes, shutting off the supply of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator cooling tionary contact 242. The supply of electric curcoils 59 of the freezing molds 33. At the same time, the compressor GI and its driving motor 32 are placed under the control of the thermostatically operated switch 246 which operates to maintain the evaporator 232;, at a sufficiently low temperature to prevent the melting of blocks of ice stored in the drawer 230, as described above. If the operator desires toshut off the operation of the compressor BI entirely, the manually controlled switch 256a is opened and the supply of current to the driving motor 62 is thus cut off irrespective of the position of the control switch 24I. 4

' A modification of my invention is illustrate in Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive. A cabinet structure somewhat similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is utilized. This cabinet includes an outer rec tangular sheet metal shell 3I2 having a rectangular opening in the top thereof. The refrigerating cabinet is provided with an inner liner 3I3 also having an open top which covers three sides and the bottom of the cabinet. An apertur or door opening 3I3 closed by a door 3I8a, is arranged in the front wall. The outer liner 3I2 and the inner liner 3I3 are separated by blocks of heat insulating material 3| 4, for example, wood, and the space between the liners is filled with heat insulation 3I5. The inner liner 3I3 is provided with a flanged portion 3I6 at the top of the inner wall thus defining a rectangular opening 3". In order to close the top of the refrigerator cabinet, I have provided a hood comprising an inner shell 3I9 and an outer shell 320, separated by blocks of heat insulating material 32I, such as wood, the space between the shells being filled with heat insulation 322. The hood rests upon the walls of the cabinet, astrip of flexible material such as rubber being inserted between the hood and cabinet walls to serve as a sealing means.

The cabinet described above is provided with a refrigerating machine embodying my invention which includes banks of freezing molds 323 pcsitioned in the refrigerating compartment I5. Liquid to'be frozen, such as water, is automatically supplied to the banks of molds 323, frozen, and ejected from the apparatus in a manner similar to that already described. In the modiflcation illustrated in Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive, I have shown two banks of molds, each bank including two rows'of vertical cylindrical pockets or molds 324. The upper surface of the banks of molds as well as the interior surface of the pockets or molds is covered with a thin rubber lining 323. The rubber lining 325 extends over the edge of the mold 323 and is fastened to the edge of the mold by means of a retaining strip 328. Therubber lining at the bottom of each cylindrical pocket or mold 324 is provided with a thickened po1-tion 321 which 'is hollowed out to receive the head 323 of a plunger or push rod 322.

' The banks of molds 323 are supported within the refrigerating cabinet upon a frame-work. The supporting frame-work comprises vertical channel members 423 at the corners joined at the lower ends by horlzontal'channel members 424 and at the upper ends by horizontal channel members 425. Flange 342 is suitably fastened as by welding about theupper portion of the above frame-work, the flange 342 being suitably fastened as by nuts and bolts to an inwardly extending flange 343 which rests on blocks 3. The banks of molds 323 are supported in any suitable manner as by screws, for example, from U-shaped channel members 426 which are suitably supported between channel members 423.

The contents of the banks 323 are cooled by liquid vaporizable refrigerant circulated through refrigerator evaporator conduits 330 which are cast in the walls of the molds. In order to cool the mold as evenly as possible the evaporator coil 330 is formed as shown in Fig. 12. The first turn of the coil substantially surrounds both the two rows of pockets or molds so that a second loop is arranged in such a way as to surround only one row of pockets or molds. second loop is completed, a third loop is made similar to the first, etc. In ctherwords, beginning at the lower left-hand corner in Fig. 12, the coilis formed as follows: back along the left-hand side, across the entire rear end of the bank, unto the front of the bank, across the right-hand half of the front of the bank, backwardly between the two rows of pockets or molds, to the right across the right-hand portion of the bank, up to the front of the bank, entirely across the front of the bank, backalong the left-hand side of the bank, to the right across the left-hand portion of the rear of the bank, up to the front between the two rows of pockets or openings, to the left-hand portion of the bank, etc., until the coil is completed.

After the to. the molds 324 substantially to fill the molds during each cycle of operation of the machine.

As best shown in Fig. 10, liquid is supplied through the pipe 340 to a supply tank 3 which is supported above the banks of molds 323 on the vertical channel framework members 523, as best shown in Fig. 8. I have'provided an arrangement for maintaining liquid in the supply tank 341 at a substantially constantlevel which includes a float 348. Float 334 is fastened at one 7 end of an arm 355. Am 345 is pivotally con- Liquid refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator fying unit may be the same as the unit described above. The liquid refrigerant which has been accumulated in the liquid receiver 12 passes therefrom through a main supply conduit 33! and then through branch conduits 332 and 333; as best shown in Fig. 10, to the refrigerant evaporator coil 333. Since two banks 323 have v been illustrated, a conduit 334 has been provided to join the refrigerating coils 333 so that the two banks are in series relationship. The liquid refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant evapora-q tor coil 330 is vaporized'by the absorption of heat from the contents of the molds 324. This vaporized refrigerant then flows through a branch conduit 335 to the main suction conduit 338 through which it is returned to the compressor 6|. As best shown in Fig. 9, the portion of the conduit 33! which extends along the rear wall protective sleeve 331 preferably molded thereon and made of soft rubber. The conduit 33? passes through openings in plates 333 and333 and the hood of the refrigerating cabinet.

An arrangement for ejecting the ice or other material frozen in the pockets 324 is provided. This arrangement includes a push rod or plunger 323 for each pocket or mold 324 which is reciprocable into and out of the interior of the pockets or molds 324 as best shown in Fig. 11. Inasmuch as the interior surface of the pockets 324 are I measuring vessels.

'nected to a substantially L-shaped arm 353 which is fastened in any suitable manner to the exterior of avalve casing 331. The end of arm 345 opposite the float 354 is pivotally connected to a valve stem 348 which is adapted to move vertically through an opening in the top of valve casing '34].

-water to enter the tank 3 through an opening 349 in the valve casing 347. Water will flow into the tank 3 until the float 343 is moved upwardly to a position in which the valve stem 333 will have been moved downwardly a sufliciently great distance to close the valve and the inlet conduit 343.

Two substantially identical fluid measuring vessels 353 are arranged on the lower side of the tank L The measuring vessels are cup-shaped in form and the side walls thereof are substantially cylindrical. As best shown in Fig. 13, the cup-shaped vessels 355 are inserted through openings in the bottom of the tank 34! and welded thereto as indicated at 35!. A cover-352 is suitably attached to the measuring vessel within the tank 34! as, for example, bycooperating threads on the exterior of the vessel 35,3 and the interior of the cover 352.

A dual valve is mounted in each of the fluid The cover 352 is provided with an inlet opening 353 serving as a valve seat through which extends an actuating rod 354. A a collar 355 is suitably fastened to the actuating of the outer cabinet shell. 3l2 is covered by a Tod [Inlet Valve 356 is arranged sndably actuating rod 354, being connected to collar 355 by means of a spring 351. An outlet opening .353

covered'by a thin rubber sheet it is unnecessary to heat the molds as was done in the above described modification. I have found that the operation of the plungers 323 in conjunction with the flexible rubber lining is sumcient to break loose whatever bond exists between the frozen material and the rubber lining to eject the frozen material from the molds.

Material to be frozenis supplied to the refrigerating machine through a conduit or pipe 333 extending through the rear wall of the cabinet. If water is the material to be frozen, thev conduit or pipe 353 may be connected to an ordinary water supply'system or other suitable source of water. The liquid is supplied to the freezing molds of the refrigerating machine from the main in the bottom wall of the measuring vessel .350

is arranged in vertical alinement with the inlet I opening 353. Outlet opening 358 serves ,as a valve seat for an outlet valve 353 which is supported slidably on actuating rod 354. A cap 363 is suitably fastened as by welding to the bottom wall along rod 354 is limited in one direction by a collar 338 secured to rod 355 and in the other direction by the tension of spring 35!.

When the actuating rods are moved to their extreme upper positions, as illustrated in Fig. 13,

the spring 35! is compressed between the outlet valve cap 330 and the valve 353, thus pressing the valve 353 against its seat in theoutlet opening and closing the same. At the same time the inlet valve 353 is moved upwardly and away from its cooperating seat so that fluid'within the tank 338 may flow through the opening 353 into the measuring vessels 353. In order to permit air entrapped within the measuring vessels 353 to escape and to permitthe measuring vessels 353 to be fllled with liquid, a vent tube. 333 is provided between the interior of each measuring vessel and the atmosphere above the level of liquid within tank 34!.

When the actuating rods 354 are pushed downwardly to the extreme lower position, the valve 368 is pressed against its seat to close inlet 353 thus cutting ofl. the flow of liquid from tank 34! to the interior of the measuring vessel 388. At the same time the downward movement of the actuating rod 354 causes collar 384 to bear against valve 358 in opposition to the bias oi spring 36!. At the end of the movement of the actuating rod 354 the valve 338 will have been forced downwardly out of the opening 358 thus permitting the water within the measuring vessel 388 to flow out through the outlet conduit 362.

The measuring vessels 358 are designed to have such a volume that each of them will hold a volume of liquid just suiilcient to fill all of the freezing molds in one of the banks of molds 323.

The measuring vessels 358 supply the liquid tobe frozen to the freezing molds 323 through outlet conduits 382 having Y-shaped branch outlets 368. The Y-shaped branch conduits 366 extend over the molds 323 so that liquid discharged from the lower ends thereof fills the pockets 324 and is distributed throughout the molds 323 by means of the notches 381 between the molds or pockets 324.

I have provided an arrangement for operating the valves of the measuring vessels 358 in proper sequence. The upper end or each actuating rod 354 is provided'with a U-shaped extension 368. A pair of operating arms 388 are pivotally supported at one end in the U-shaped brackets as indicated at 318 and 31I. The opposite ends of the operating arms 368 are pivotally supported within tank 3 in any suitable manner, as indicated at 312 and 313. Each operating arm is provided with a longitudinal slot .314 adapted to receive an operating rod 315. In order to actuate the operating arms I have provided a shaft 318 which is rotatably 'supported in any suitable manner within the water tank 3". At one end of shaft 318 I have provided wheel 311. The rod 315 is eccentrically mounted on the wheel 311 and is rotated thereby. At the other end of rod 316 I have provided a pinion 318 which meshes with a gear wheel 388 of comparatively large diameter as compared with pinion 318, which is rigidly mounted on a horizontal shaft 38!. Shaft 38l is suitably journaled in the wall of water tank 3 and extends outside of the water tank. A pair of pawl and ratchet arrangements are provided for rotating the shalt 38l and include ratchet wheels 382 and 383 and actuating pawls 384 and 385, respectively.

Pawl 384 is pivotally'connected to a notched member 388 which in turn is rigidly secured in any suitable manner to reciprocable member 338 which is part of the ejecting mechanism. As has been described above a plurality of plungers outer rows of molds m be fastened in a suitable manner, as by nuts 333 to the cross-pieces 333a. The cross-pieces 334 are so positioned with respect to frame members 333 that the plungers 323 of the inner rows of molds may be fastened thereto in a similar manner. Guide pins 331 are supported in frame members 331 and 332 and cooperate with channel 331:: suitably secured to channel member 423 to guide the vertical movement of the reciprocable frame. It will be apparent that any upward movement of the ejecting frame-work will force all the plungers 323 upwardly into the molds or pockets 324 to 328 is provided 'for ejecting the frozen material from the molds or pockets 324. In order to transmit the force necessary to cause operation of the plungers I have provided a reciprocable member 388 including two uprights 382 joined at their upper ends by a horizontal member 381. At the lower ends of members 382 is arranged a horizontal frame-work made up of side members 383 and cross-pieces-383a. Cross-pieces 334 join side members 383 intermediate of their ends.

The banks of molds 323 are so fastened to channel members 423 that the push rods 328 oi the eject the frozen material therein. In order to insure that pawl 334 will engage with ratchet wheel 332, a spring 384a has been suitably fastened to an extension 383 on the notched member 388.

In ,order to operate the reciprocating frame or member 388, I have provided a fluid motor utilizing the pressure of the refrigerant in the high side of the refrigerant system. I also provide a disengageable connection including pivoted lever 388 carrying an upstanding lug 33L Paw] 385 is plvotally supported by lug 38l and to insure that pawl 385'wlll be maintained in operating relationship with ratchet wheel 383 I have provided spring 383a to bias the pawl toward the ratchet wheel. The pivoted lever 388 is hollowed out for a portion of its length to receive a reclprocable trigger member 388, the end of which engages a notch 386a in the notched member 388 supported on horizontal member 381. The member 386 is biased outwardly by a spring 48L A slot 482 is provided in the lower side of pivoted lever 388 and lug 483, integral with trigger member 386, projects downwardly through the slot 482.

An arm 484 is pivotally secured to the lug 483 at one end, the other end of arm 434 being provided with an enlargement 483 having a longitudinal slot adapted to engage pin 483 which is suitably supported within the casing 481 of fluid motor 488. The lever 388 is pivotally supported within the casing 481 of the fluid motor 483 by means of projections 488.

I have provided mechanism within the fluid motor 488 to cause movement of the pivoted lever 388. The casing 481 of the fluid motor 483 is provided with an upper portion having a flange 488a and a bottom plate having a flange 483b matching the flange 488a. A diaphragm H8 is rigidly supported about its circumference between the flanges 483a and 4832). A block 4 is suitably secured at the center of the diaphragm 418 and operating rod 2 is suitably secured to the block 4 as, for example, by means of screw threads on rod 2 and a tapped hole in the block 4| I. The operating rod 2 is biased downwardly by means of a spring 3 which extends between block I and a portion 4 of the casing 481.

In order to operate the pivoted lever 388 I admit high pressure liquid refrigerant from the main conduit; 33! through branch conduit 8, solenoid operated stop valve 413 and branch conduit 1 into the space between thev bottom plate of the fluid motor 483 and the diaphragm 4". The position of the diaphragm 8 therefore will be dependent upon the pressure within the space 4I1a. An increase of pressure within the chamber 4l1a will be transmitted due to the upward movement of the diaphragm 413 against the tenslon of the spring 3 to the pivoted lever 333 through operating rod 2 and head 4" fastened at the upper end of operating rod 4| 2. The above described operation will cause the lever 338 and -member 388 which, moving downwardly by its own weight, will retract the operating rods 323 from within the pockets 324 of the banks of molds 3,23; 1

Ratchet member 332 is so adjusted that when the reciprocable member 388 reaches its highest caused by fall of the reciprocable membi r vertical position, pawl 384 will.engage one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 382. As the reciprocable member 3% falls, pawl 386 will transmit a counterclockwise movement to the shaft 33! through the ratchet wheel 332.; 'The'rotation of shaft 38! will be transmitted through pinions 386 and 319, shaft 316, wheel 311, and rod 316 to operating arms 369;

As shown in Fig. 10, thevalves 366 of the measuring apparatus are in the upward orqopen position. In'this position the measuring cups 360 will be filled by the flow of liquid from tank 3' through the'openings 363 into the measuring vessels 350.. The ratios of-the pinions 313 and 380 is suchthat when the shaft 38l is rotated by the downward movement of :the reciprocable member 333, rod 316 will be moved inva clockwise direction' through half a revolution. This motion of rod 316 will cause operating arms'363 to move downwardly so that the actuating rods 364 ofthe valves will also be moved downwardly thus closing the inlet valves ,to the measuring vessels 350 and at the same time opening the outlet valves in the bottoms of the measuring vessels. The liquid will then run out of the measuring vessels through-conduits 362 and 366 into the banks of molds 323. ,1

The operating, arm- 390 will not return immediately to its original position. When arm .390- reaches the limit of its clockwise rotation, an electrical circuit through the solenoid 460 of solenoid operated valve 4 I 6 is broken by the opening of mercury switch 430 carried in a cylindrical extension 393 of operating arm 39!! permitting valve 416 to close andcut off the supply of'refrlgerant to chamber 10.. A return path to the refrigerant system is supplied through conduits M1 and Mia to conduit 333-. Conduit 6a is a capillary tube, however, so that the return of refrigerant is comparatively slow and, consequently, the resulting decrease in pressure within chamber la is correspondingly slow. As the pressure in chamber 10. decreases, the energy which has been stored inspring I during comflectors mjsiitttflr wreath it pression is utilized to push trigger. 336 outwardly and, assisted by arm'lfll, will tend to cause lever 330 to return to its original position; As the original position is .approachemtrigger 396 will be drawn across the face of member 386 1 against the tension of spring into vengagement with notch 386a.

' During rotation of shaft 33! under'the V ratchet h elxmtsh it 3' bracketssupl md main conduit 3311'] thermostatic expansion. valves l3 [I m we mbeteeters ratqb tyhs w will; be'rotated nto posi 1.

terclockwise- I H wn d moveme t l;; i i!l -f-331.v l 1, -a s a t 3 6. whfl til'lt rrq :31 Th 0d.-.3l51: is ned an hem .avolu a, ads ba t ng, operating arms 363 to reverse the positions oft 1 111g sel-defl ct n ,nlafl s on udiaafla extensl ds; 4 site ends Q w ih re; ewe ed. chews m a Tension springs M I plates, .T edefl na lat ner described pr o n at d! m maiid'elfl fi er lllesaiablr sa we 1 to the lnnerliner 313 of the refrigerating bi-, net assist md e t ns tha mz ma rial as d t y In rderj-tdi eatj hat lin ihaslrw ria r. a. an t r!" sui a l u ported wmqhan nel members'424.

previously 'described' embodiment. g porizable refrigrantjpa'ssestothe evaporate co 428 through a. branchconduit' 439; which com municate's' w'ith the bran co dmtgaaz ailqth I: v 7 86. waPqfi 91; by the absorption f r uma th Mar o the draweris "discharged througha branch con-, duit 430 into the mainsuction conduit,336. In; order to maintain the pressureldiiierences-between the inlets ,and'outlets f theevapbrators;

can and m atsubstanti lly,constahtvluesgr,

have provided automatic thermostatic eg ansitn valves 63! and L432, "The thermostatic eirpansion 1 valve m is located in the brfin, s 1y eq duit m or the evaporator m' 'whilel .the thermo static expansion valve 432 is locatedlin'the conduit 423 leading to evaporator I28 The,

and uaresnectiveimpwhicu are ton e t y n u d itair m ival -vbulbs 43: and saaagregarran' edf inftherma relationship withidischa amnesia; 's a The operation of the Te mien, beendescribedfl 1; i I a mid dl ii a me me A refrigerating machine .Qfidsbribtedljbbv whic J ,ationfi of the conventional typefjanm include bulb at a. M r

"I and msndstaflcmzyemheisiflludflhasshown inrig. 1c. whenitismaelyldesiredto store ice whichlns I is placediniisleft-hnnduop'enpnsiflm. Inthis posiflonisflllihltoillothevaporatorsfllendlflbntiheeiecthmand Under thesetheopersihmbitbecompressbr ii andiisdrlvingmotorflhbyswitch flihavimapsirotfisedemtactslflandl" dosedbysmonhk'bridgememher-mwhichis sctuatedbysbellowsfll. Thisbellowsisconnectedfln'oughaemduitfllwiflaathermostatic bulbmsrrsngedinheetexdnmerelationship with the evaporator m. the evaporator I28 reaches a p temperature.

. theexpendonottheelasticfinidinthe'bulb I causaanexpansimofthebdiows I which resultsinthecioslngoftheeosihctsm and I bytbe movable bi'idlemanberfli thus completinganelectric drcuitforthesndtnrn from the electric supply line 40 through conductor Iii and switch llla to the meta ii, The motor 62 is connected to the other no! line III through conductor 2, contacts III and I. bridging member-I andconductmlfl. evaporator fll reachu a 310' temperature, thebeliows coninctsandzmores the bridgingmemberfli awayimmtheeontacts "I and I thuscuttingoiithesupflymeurrenttothe motor flandstoppingtheopenflmof the compressor.

Whentheswitcharmlflismoredto the righthandposition so thatiheswitcharms I38 and III engage the contacts I and Ill, a control circult is set up for operating the machine continuously and automatimlly to heels-successive quantitles of ice or the like. when apparatusis first put into operatim the banks of molds 323 are filled with liquid from he ordinary supply which is, of course, comparatively warm: consemiently, the elasticfiuid Ihichzis contained in a bulb 4 arranged in heat transfer relationship with respect to one of the banks of molds 323 is caused to expand. expansion is transmitted throu h a conduit Oil to a bellows "I. An operating rod oil is caused to move a bridging member "8 into or out of engagement with fixed contacts "I and ill according to the position of the bellows I. Thus, an electric circuit across the contacts III and I will be closed or opened according to the temperature of the bank I23. Inasmuch as the first charge of water causes the bellows I" to expand the bridging member 488 will remain out of contact with the contacts I and I.

With the switch 431 inits right-hand position, a circuit is completed for the compressor and its driving motor I2 from supply conductor 44! through a conductor III and switch la to the motor 62. A return circuit from the motor 62 to the other supply conductor I is completed through conductor 1, switch arm I, contact Ill and conductor 4". It will thus be apparent will have decreased to a predetermined degree of temperature at which point bellows 456 will have contracted sufilciently to cause bridging member aasaosc "I to engage fixed contacts Ill and. I. A circuit will then be completed to energize solenold I of the solenoid operated valve lit. The circuit may be traced from the electric conductor 9 through conductor I, contact I, switch arm "I. conductor I, mercury switch Ill and conductor 3, to solenoid I. The return circuit is completed to the other electric supply line I through conductor 4, contacts 45! and I. bridging member "I, conductor 8 and conductor 3. The flow of current through the solenoid will result in the opening of the valve ll thus admitting refrigerant evaporator to the power element Ill. When the pressure within chamber la has developed to a sufilciently high value, the ejecting means will be operated to force the frozen material out of the banks, as described above; when the operating arm III reaches its limit or travel, the contact through the mercury switch will be broken thus deenergizing the solenoid I permitting the valve ll to close. The pressure within chamber llla will thus slowly decrease by reason of the vaporized refrigerant returning to the refrigerant circuit through the capillary tube Ilia. when the operating arm "I returns to a position at the lower limit of its travel, the mercury within the mercury tube ill will again how to such a position within the tube as to complete the circuit through the mercury switch. In the meantime, the comparative- 1y warm liquid which has been admitted to the molds 323 will have caused the bellows ll! to open the electrical circuit between the contacts 45! and I, The circuit is now in the condition first described and the above sequence will be repeated as long as the switch 431 and switch "to. remain in their closed positions.

After a suiilcient number of blocks of ice or the like have been frozen to meet the requirement of the operator, the switch I is moved to the left into its open position and the operation of the compressor ti again restored to the control of the bellows I and its corresponding thermostatic bulb I; If the operator desires to shut oi! the operation of the apparatus, the manually controlled switch In is opened and the supply of current to the driving motor 62 is thus cut oi! irrespective of the position of the control switch I". While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention in connection with a refrigeratlng machine having banks of freezing molds, I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure b Letters Patent of th United States is:

1. A refrigerating machine for freezing. successive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain a material to be frozen, means for freezv ing th contents of said mold, and means including a reciprocable plunger in said mold and acomprising in combination a mold adapted to contain material to be frozen, refrigerating responsive to the temperature of said mold for means operable in response to the temperature of the contents of saidmold for supplying a cooling medium to said mold when the contents thereof reach a predetermined high temperature, ejecting means sequentiallyoperable with respect to said refrigerating means, said ejectcessive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain material to be frozen, means for freezing the contents of said mold, means dependent upon freezing of the contents of said mold for ejecting the same, supply means for'replenishing the contents of. said mold, and means interlocking said ejecting means and said supply means for preventing the operation of said supply means prior to th operation of said ejecting means.

.4. A refrigerating machine for freezing successive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen com prising in combination a mold adapted to conejecting the frozencontents thereof when the walls of said mold have been heated to a predetermined temperature, and supply means for replenishing the contents of said mold.

8. A refrigerating machine for freezing successive quantities of material and automatically tain a material to be-frozen, means for freezing the contents of said mold, means for heating said mold to loosen the frozen contents, means for ejecting the frozen contents from said mold, and means for causing a predetermined relation of operation of said heating means and said ejecting means.

5. A refrigerating machine for freezing successive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain a material to be frozen, means for freezing the contents of said mold, means for heating said mold to loosen the'frozen contents, means for ejecting the frozen contents from said mold, and means for automatically causing successive freezing, heating, and ejecting of the contents of said mold.

6. A refrigerating machine for freezing successive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain a material to be frozen, means for freezing the contents of said mold, means for heating said mold to loosen the frozen contents, means for ejecting the frozen contents from said mold, means for replenishing the contents of said mold, and means for automatically causing successive operation of said freezing means, said heating means, said ejecting means and said replenishing means. I V p 7. A refrigerating machine for freezing successive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain material to be frozen, means for freezing the contents of said mold, means responsive to the temperature of said mold for supplying heatto the walls of said mold when the temperature ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain material to be frozen, means for freezing the contents of said mold, means responsive to the temperature of said mold and including heating means arranged in heat exchange relationtermined temperature, supply means for replenishing the contents of said mold, and means interlocking said ejecting means and said supply means for preventing the operation of said sup ply means prior to the operation of said ejecting means.

9. A refrigerating machine for freezing successive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain material to be frozen, means including refrigerant supplying means for freezing the contents of said mold, means for ejecting the frozen contents of said mold, means for heating said mold to loosen the frozen contents, control means responsive to the temperature of said mold for starting said refrigerant supplying means and also for rendering said heating means ineffective when the contents of said mold reach a predetermined high temperature and for stopping said refrigerant supply means and for rendering said heating means ei'fective when the contents of said mold reach a predetermined low temperature, and control means responsive to the temperature of said mold for rendering said ejecting means effective.

10. A refrigeratingmachine for freezing successive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain material to be frozen, means including refrigerant supplying means for freezing the contents of said mold, means for ejecting the frozen 'plenishing the contents of the mold, control mold reach a predetermined low temperature,

control means responsive to the temperature of said mold for rendering said ejecting means effective, and means associated with said ejecting means for rendering said supply means'operable in a predetermined relation to the operation of said ejecting means.

11. A refrigerating machine for freezing successive quantities of material and automatically ejecting the material therefrom when frozen comprising in combination a mold adapted to contain material to be frozen, a refrigerant evap- 

